Ned Sublette, author of Cuba and Its Music, has just published a new book, The World That Made New Orleans: From Spanish Silver to Congo Square. We met Sublette, who describes himself as an independent scholar, at Bebo Valdes’s 2006 concert at Lincoln Center, and I don’t think you could find anyone who’s more passionate and intelligent about music. This book is at the top of Francisco’s to-read list as he prepares for a June trip to New Orleans, where he will be volunteering as a chef with Culinary Corps.